Method for assisting in manual movement of a stator coil insertion tool assembly

ABSTRACT

Hoist assist mechanism which assists in the manual movement of a coil insertion tool assembly to and from an operational position. The hoist assist mechanism has a rotatable base, to which is attached an upwardly extending post. At the upper portion of the post is a sheave, Also, attached to the base, adjacent the post, is a support arm which supports a coil insertion tool assembly. The support arm is pivotally attached to the rotatable base. A cable is attached to the arm. The cable extends over the sheave and is also attached to a spring which assists in pivotal movement of the arm. The spring is adjacent the post or enclosed by the post. Preferably, plurality of posts and arms are pivotally attached to the base. Each pivotal arm supports a coil insertion tool assembly. Thus, coil insertion tool assemblies for different stator cores can be easily and readily moved into and out of operational position as desired.

RELATED APPLICATION

This is a divisional application based upon Patent Application Ser. No.307,947, filed Feb. 9, 1989 now U.S. Pat. No. 4,858,307.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A stator core of an electric motor may be any one of various sizes andcoil arrangements. Therefore, a tool assembly for insertion of coilsinto the stator core of an electric motor must be particularly designedand constructed for insertion of coils into that stator core.

Therefore, in a facility in which coils are inserted into stator coresof various sizes and coil arrangements, several coil insertion toolassemblies must be used.

For insertion of coils into stator cores of a given size and a givencoil arrangement, a coil insertion tool assembly is positioned in anoperational position within operational apparatus which operates thecoil insertion tool assembly. Then the operational apparatus operatesthe coil insertion tool assembly and coils are inserted into statorcores of the given size and of a given coil arrangement as the statorcores are processed upon, one after the other.

When it is desired to insert coils into stator cores of another sizeand/or another coil arrangement, the coil insertion tool assembly isremoved from the operational apparatus and another coil insertion toolassembly is positioned within the operational apparatus. A coilinsertion tool assembly is heavy and difficult to handle. However, suchreplacement of a coil insertion tool into the operation apparatus isconventionally performed manually with great physical effort and withpotential safety hazard involved.

It is an object of this invention to provide mechanism which assists inthe manual movement of a coil insertion tool assembly into and out of anoperational position in operational apparatus.

It is another object of this invention to provide such mechanism whichcan be constructed at relatively low costs.

Other objects and advantages of this invention reside in theconstruction of the mechanism and the parts thereof, the combinationthereof, the method of construction and the mode of operation, as willbecome more apparent from the following description.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The hoist assist mechanism of this invention comprises support structureto which a base member is attached. A support arm is pivotally mountedupon a base member. Adjacent the support arm is a post. Adjacent thepost is a resilient member. The post supports a rotatable supportmember, such as a sheave or pulley wheel. A cable attaches the supportarm to the resilient member. The cable extends over the rotatablesupport member between the resilient member and the support arm.

Means are provided for attaching a coil insertion tool assembly to thesupport arm. The support arm is pivotal to move the coil insertion toolassembly to an operational position at which the coil insertion toolassembly is operated. The support arm is also pivotal to move the coilinsertion tool from the operational position.

A coil insertion tool assembly is a relatively heavy item. However, theresilient member, which is attached to the support arm by means of thecable, assists in pivotal movement of the support arm as the support armcarries a coil insertion tool assembly to and from an operationalposition. Preferably, the base member is rotatable. Thus, with rotativemovement of the base member the support arm and a coil insertion toolassembly carried thereby can be moved to and from alignment with theoperational position.

Also, preferably, a plurality of arms is pivotally attached to the basemember. Thus, a coil insertion tool assembly of a certain size can beattached to one of the support arms, and a coil insertion tool assemblyof a different size can be attached to another support arm. Thus, eachsupport arm may have a different coil insertion tool assembly attachedthereto. Therefore, by rotative movement of the base a desired coilinsertion tool assembly is positioned into alignment with theoperational position, and with pivotal movement of the support arm, thedesired coil insertion tool assembly can be readily moved into theoperational position.

Furthermore, due to the fact that the base member, to which the supportarms are pivotally attached, is rotatable, a support arm can be moved toa position at which a coil insertion tool assembly can be readilyattached to the support arm or removed therefrom.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view illustrating hoist assist mechanism ofthis invention as the mechanism is mounted upon support structure. Thisfigure shows a plurality of arms, each of which has a coil placementtool assembly attached thereto. This figure also shows each of the coilplacement tool assemblies out of operating position.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, similar to FIG. 1, but showing one ofthe coil placement tool assemblies supported directly by the supportstructure and in an operating position.

FIG. 3 is a top plan view or sectional view taken substantially on line3--3 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view showing the hoist assist mechanism ina position substantially ninety degrees with respect to the positionshown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3. In this position of the support arm, a coilplacement tool assembly which is carried by the arm can be readilyremoved from the arm.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 5--5 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows support structure 10 which is supported by a pedestal 12.The support structure 10 includes a cross member 10a, shown in FIGS. 3,4, and 5. Extending through the cross member 10a is a stem 16, which isrotatable within a block 20, as best shown in FIG. 5. Bearing members 21and 23 encompass the stem 16. A plate 25, below the block 20, isattached to the stem 16 by a bolt 26. Attached to the stem 16 above thecross member 10a is a bearing 22. Immediately above the bearing 22 andattached thereto is base 24. The base 24 and the bearing 22 arerotatable with rotation of the stem 16.

Attached to the base 24 and extending therefrom is an upwardly extendingpost 38 and an upwardly extending post 40. The posts 38 and 40 are inparallel juxtaposition. Each of the posts 38 and 40 has a slot 42therein at the upper portion thereof, as shown in FIG. 5. Attached tothe upper portion of the posts 38 and 40 are plates 44. A shaft member45 extends through the plates 44 and through the slot 42 of the post 38.A shaft member 47 extends through the plates 44 and through the slot 42of the post 40. The shaft member 45 rotatably supports a sheave orpulley wheel 46, and the shaft member 47 rotatably supports a sheave orpulley wheel 48. Each of the sheaves 46 and 48 is within the slot 42 ofits respective post 38 and 40. Also, above the shafts 45 and 47 andabove the sheaves 46 and 48 are bolts 49 which extend through the posts38 and 40 and through the slots 42.

On opposite sides of the base 24 are plates 50. Pin members 52 extendthrough the plates 50 and through the base 24 for attachment of theplates 50 to the base 24. A pin 51 pivotally attaches an arm 54 to theplates 50. Spacer elements 53 are positioned between the base 24 and theplates 50. A pin 55 pivotally attaches an arm 56 to the plates 50.

Within the post 38 is a spring member 60, which has a lower end attachedto the post 38 by means of one of the pins 52. Within the post 40 is aspring member 64, which has a lower end attached to the post 40 by meansof one of the pins 52.

The upper end of the spring member 60 is attached to a cable 68, whichextends upwardly from the spring member 60 and within the post 38. Thecable 68 extends over the pulley wheel 46. From the pulley wheel 46 andfrom the post 38 the cable 58 extends to the arm 54. The cable 58 isattached to a knob 70 which is attached to the arm 56. Thus, the cable68 is attached to the arm 56.

The upper end of the spring member 64 is attached to a cable 74, whichextends upwardly from the spring member 64 and within the post 40. Thecable 74 extends over the pulley wheel 48. From the pulley wheel 48 andfrom the post 40 the cable 74 extends to the arm 54. The cable 68 isattached to a knob 76 which is attached to the arm 54. Thus, the cable74 is attached to the arm 54.

The post 40 has a latch 80 pivotally attached thereto. The latch 80engages a pin 81 which is attached to the arm 54 to retain the arm 54 inan upwardly extending position. The post 38 has a latch 82 pivotallyattached thereto. The latch 82 engages a pin 83 which is attached to thearm 56 to retain the arm 56 in an upwardly extending position. The arm56 has an abutment element 84 attached thereto. When the arm 56 is in anupwardly extending position, the abutment 84 engages the housing 38. Thearm 54 has an abutment element 86 attached thereto. When the arm 54 isin an upwardly extending position, the abutment 86 engages the housing40.

Attached to the arm 54 by means of bolts 90 is carrier 92. The carrier92 retains a coil insertion tool assembly 93. Attached to the arm 56 bymeans of bolts 94 is a carrier 95 which retains a coil insertion toolassembly 96.

When it is desired to employ the coil insertion tool assembly 93 forinsertion of coils into an electric motor stator core, not shown, thelatch 80 is released from the pin 81 of the arm 54, and the arm 54 ispivotally lowered until the carrier 92 rests upon an arcuate cradle 97,which is shown in FIG. 3. The cradle 97 is a part of the supportstructure 10. Lowering of the arm 54 from the position thereof shown inFIG. 1 to the position thereof shown in FIG. 2 is performed manually.When the arm 54 is pivotally moved from the position thereof shown inFIG. 1 to the position thereof shown in FIG. 2, the cable 74 moves withthe arm 54, and the cable 74 moves upon the sheave 48. The cable 74pulls upon the spring 64. Thus, the spring 64 is stretched, asillustrated in FIG. 2. As the spring 64 is stretched, the spring 64assists in supporting the weight of the coil insertion tool assembly 93,as the coil insertion tool assembly 93 is supported by the carrier 92and the arm 54. Thus, even though the coil insertion tool assembly isheavy, customarily weighing several hundred pounds, the arm 54 with theload carried thereby can be easily manually moved. FIG. 2 shows thecarrier 92 and the coil insertion tool assembly 93 resting upon thecradle 97.

The carrier 92 is secured in its position upon the cradle 97 by camelements 99, which are operated by cranks 101. The cranks 101 and thecams 99 are supported by support members 102. The cam elements 99 aremovable into notches 104 in the carrier 92. Thus, the carrier 92 and thecoil insertion tool assembly 93 are positioned and secured for operationof the coil insertion apparatus by operational apparatus, not shown,which is supported by or adjacent the support structure 10.

After use of the coil insertion tool assembly 93 for placing coils intoa number of stator cores, not shown, the carrier 92 is released byreleasing the cams 99. Then the arm 54 is manually pivotally movedupwardly. When the arm 54 is pivotally manually moved upwardly, thespring 64 assists in lifting the arm 54 and the load carried thereby,which consists of the coil insertion tool assembly 93 and the carrier92. Thus, the coil insertion tool assembly 93 can be manually movedupwardly without difficulty, as the spring 64 assists in the upwardmovement. The coil insertion tool assembly 93 is thus returned to theposition thereof shown in FIG. 1. In this position, the latch 80 retainsthe arm 54 in its upwardly extending position.

If it is desired to insert coils into a stator core of another givensize or configuration, a coil insertion tool assembly 96 is employed.The coil insertion tool assembly 96 is shown within a carrier 95, whichis mounted upon the arm 56. In order to position the coil insertion toolassembly 96 for use, the base 24 is rotatively moved through a 180degree angle. In this rotative position of the base 24, the arm 56 andthe coil insertion tool assembly 96 are positioned immediately above thesupport structure 10. Then the latch 82 is moved from the pin 83 andfrom the arm 56. Then the arm 56 is pivotally moved downwardly until thecarrier 95 rests upon the cradle 97. Downward movement of the arm 56with the load carried thereby is assisted by the spring 60 and the cable68. The carrier 95 has notches 110, which receive the cams 99 to securethe carrier 95 and the coil insertion tool assembly 96 in position inthe cradle 97 for insertion of coils into a stator core.

When it is desired to remove a coil insertion tool assembly, such as thecoil insertion tool assembly 93, from its support arm 54, the base 24 isrotatively moved through a 90 degree angle, to a position shown in FIG.4. Then the coil insertion tool assembly 93 and the carrier 92 are at aside portion of the support structure 10, and the coil insertion toolassembly 93 is readily accessible and can be readily removed from thearm 54.

As shown in FIG. 5, the block 20 and the stem 16 are provided withtransverse passages 126 therein. Thus, a rod 130, or the like can beinserted into a passage 126 to secure the rotative position of the base24.

In summary, it is thus to be understood that the hoist assist mechanismof this invention provides means by which a heavy coil insertion toolassembly can be easily and readily manually moved to and from anoperational position. The mechanism of this invention is capable ofsupporting a plurality of coil insertion tool assemblies. Any one of thecoil insertion tool assemblies can be easily and readily moved into anoperational position.

Also, the hoist assist mechanism of this invention functions to permit acoil insertion tool assembly to be easily and readily attached to themechanism and detached therefrom.

Although the preferred embodiment of the hoist assist mechanism of thisinvention has been described, it will be understood that within thepurview of this invention various changes may be made in the form,details, proportion and arrangement of parts, the combination thereof,the mode of construction, and the mode of operation, which generallystated consist in hoist assist mechanism within the scope of theappended claims.

The invention having thus been described, the following is claimed:
 1. Amethod of assisting in the manual movement of a coil insertion toolassembly to and from support structure which supports the coil insertiontool assembly, comprising positioning a carrier member adjacent thesupport structure, attaching a coil insertion tool assembly to thecarrier member, providing a resilient member, providing connectionmeans, connecting the connection means to the resilient member and tothe carrier member, whereby the resilient member assists in movement ofthe carrier member and the coil insertion tool assembly to and from thesupport structure.
 2. The method of claim 1 in which the resilientmember comprises an elongate coil spring, and in which the method alsoincludes anchoring one end of the coil spring with respect to thesupport structure, and attaching a cable to the other end of the coilspring and attaching the cable to the carrier member.
 3. The method ofclaim 1 which includes attaching an upwardly extending post to thesupport structure, attaching a sheave to the post for rotation upon thepost, attaching a cable to the resilient member, extending the cableover the sheave and attaching the cable to the carrier member, wherebythe resilient member and the cable assist in movement of the carriermember and the coil insertion tool with respect to the post.
 4. A methodof assisting in the movement of a coil insertion tool assembly to andfrom support structure which supports the coil insertion tool assemblycomprising providing carrier means, positioning the carrier meansadjacent the support structure, mounting a coil insertion tool assemblyupon the carrier means, providing resilient means, attaching a portionof the resilient means to the support structure, providing a cable,connecting a portion of the cable to another portion of the resilientmeans, connecting another portion of the cable to the carrier means,whereby the resilient means assists in movement of the carrier means andthe coil insertion tool assembly to and from the support structure. 5.The method of claim 4 which includes pivotally attaching the carriermeans to the support structure.
 6. The method of assisting in themovement of a coil insertion tool assembly in accordance with claim 4which includes providing a sheave, attaching the sheave to the supportstructure for rotation with respect to the support structure,positioning the cable into engagement with the sheave intermediate thecarrier member, whereby the sheave assists in operation of the cable formovement of the coil insertion tool assembly.
 7. The method of claim 4which includes mounting a post upon the support structure, providing asheave, mounting the sheave upon the post for rotation with respect tothe post, whereby the post and the sheave assist in movement of the coilinsertion tool assembly.
 8. A method of assisting in movement of a coilinsertion tool assembly with respect to support structure which supportsthe coil insertion tool assembly, comprising providing carrier means,mounting the carrier means upon the support structure for movement withrespect to the support structure, attaching the coil insertion toolassembly to the carrier means, providing resilient means, attaching aportion of the resilient means to the support structure, providing anelongate flexible member, connecting a portion of the elongate flexiblemember to the resilient means, connecting a portion of the elongateflexible member to the carrier means, whereby the resilient meansassists in movement of the carrier means and the coil insertion toolassembly with respect to the support structure.